Archive 6 - Freedom of study

Should politics and ideology ever be allowed to stifle scientific investigation or academic studies?

Of course not.

One of the arguments against any form of national pride in Britain has been the common wisdom from liberals that the British and/or English are a “mongrel” bunch, mixed of Norman, Danish and Anglo-Saxon blood. I clearly remember my Religious Studies teacher telling my class this in Grade 8. With the left citing this “fact” as some kind of magic wand that makes any form of national pride irrelevant. Like most liberal arguments, it is a total non-sequitur. Firstly, pride in culture and history has nothing to do with race unless you are some kind of Nazi, or a liberal.

And secondly, we now know it’s not true.

The excellent study in the Daily Telegraph shows that even in the global age, Britain still has remarkable tribal make up, at least in rural areas (note carefully the conditions of the study). It’s a fascinating insight into our history and geography.

Even the researchers themselves admitted the findings surprised them greatly. If we had left “common wisdom” to decide for us, the research would never have taken place at all. This is why we question everything. This is why we should listen to common knowledge and consider it, but never take it as gospel (unless it actually is!).

And we should certainly never be censored or shouted down in academic buildings by associate professors or ignorant students. Question the motivation of those who do.